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A Peek Into Wholesale Pricing

According to the Canadian Cannabis Exchange (CCX), the average wholesale price per cannabis flower was up in October, but even high potency (25%+ THC) flower came in under $3.50 per gram.

Dried Flower

As many retailers have noticed, consumer demand for flower with over 20% THC is strong, causing demand for lower potency products to decrease. According to CCX, this is expanding the difference in price between the categories and driving a “per percentage” pricing scheme. At the end of October, products with zero to 10% THC were selling for an average of $0.07 per gram, down 65% from September, when it was going for $0.20 per gram. CCX reports that flower in these categories are being compared more to trim than to saleable flower, and the prices are reflecting that.

Other categories fared somewhat better. Products with a potency of 10% – 15% THC sold for twice as much, or an average of $0.14 per gram, up 36% from $0.10 the month before, while the 15% – 20% category grew 460% to $0.87 per gram, up from only $0.16 the month before. Data from CCX shows an oversupply of midrange products during the summer, causing the record lows that we see in September. In October, however, a shortage of popular strains and Sativa-leaning products caused a sharp increase. Products with 20% – 25% THC, while popular, still remain below $2 per gram ($1.92), albeit up 26.5% from September. The highest potency products, with 25% THC or higher, commanded the highest price per gram at $3.55 per gram.

Trim

Trim is the cannabis sold by producers to processors and extractors to use in extracts, concentrates, and distillates.

CCX forecasts slight fluctuations in price for November as fresh crops are processed, and the demand for high-quality CBD strains may drive up lower potency categories. In fact, this is exactly what we see in trim prices. Low potency product grew two cents to $0.12 per gram, while 10% – 15% potency trim dropped to $0.07 per gram. According to CCX, “this was largely driven by several extractors competing for [low potency] product that was quality extract grade with clean Certificates of Analysis, passing microbials and pesticide limits needed for production”.

“We are beginning to see a narrowing in the definition of what is extract grade as extractors demand product that is less than 10-12 months from harvest and passes all appropriate tests,” the CCX report reads. “This means that when a lot checks all the boxes extractors are willing to spend more for that product.”

Distillate prices are a bit more finicky, with THC distillate buyers knowing the premium product they are looking for and paying accordingly, while CBD distillate buyers are more apprehensive, holding onto their cash until the market floods with sellers and the price drops.

According to the report, “Stable new genetics are in demand as consumers are increasingly seeking unique genetics with different cannabinoid properties. Prices are fluctuating away from the baseline into higher ranges as LPs are willing to trial new genetics in established facilities.”

To subscribe to the Canadian Cannabis Exchange’s Monthly Pricing Report, contact client@canadiancannabisx.com.

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